Foot-measuring device.



No. 838,720. PATBNTBD DBG. '18', 1906.

' P. L. KEER.

y FOOT MEASURING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED ooT.2'/, 1905.

FRANK L. KERR, OF ALEXANDRIA, INDIANA.

FOOT-MEASURING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 18` 1906.

Application filed October 27,1905. Serial No. 284,686.

To all when?, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. KEER, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Alexandria, in the county of Madison and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Foot-Measuring Device, of which the -iollowing is a specication.

My invention relates to foot-measuring devices, and especially to those devices used for measuring feet for fitting shoes thereon.

An object of my invention is to provide a foot-measure embodying new and improved features of convenience, durability, and accuracy of measurement.

It is well known in the craft that a shoe iitted to a measurement taken from the extreme of the heel to the extreme of the toe does not always result in the desired fit. It is conceded that a measurement taken from the ball-joint of the foot to the heel will insure a better-fitting shoe than one taken from the extremes, and it is an object of my invention to provide a device adapted for measuring afoot Jfrom the extreme of the heel to the ball-joint and having a scale to indicate from such measurement the size of shoe necessary to it the foot. It is further well known that shoemakers and shoe-salesmen are subjected to considerable annoyance by reason of the curiosity and inquisitiveness of customers, and it is an object of my invention to provide a foot-measuring device wherein the scales and indicators are hid Jfrom the view of the customer.

A Jfurther object of my invention is to provide a device 'for determining the length of shoe required and combine therewith a scale from which the other necessary proportions of the shoe may be determined from measurements taken as with a tape-measure.

l/Vitlr these and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accomp anying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details may be made within the scope .of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top plan view of my improved measuring device in closed and operative position. Fig.

' 2 is a perspective view of my improved footmeasuring device shown open to exhibit the scales, indicators, and fastening means.

Like characters oi' reference designate corresponding parts in both the views.

Inits preferred embodiment myimproved foot-measuring device comprises a rigid base member l, having at one end a raised portion 2, adapted for use as a handle and being rabbeted throughout a portion of its length intermediate its ends, as indicated at 3. Upon the base 1 is pivotally secured a guide member 4 by means of longitudinally-disposed hinges 5 and provided along its longitudinal edges and intermediate its ends with guideways 6. The guideways arepreferably formed by rabbeting the top of the guide member intermediate -its ends, as at 7 and producing a longitudinal saw cut 8, thereby forming. an elongated guide 9, angular in cross-section and upon which is mounted an indicator l0. For positioning the indicator l0 upon the guide 9 an oblique saw cut Il is produced, registering with the cut 8 and through which the guide member may pass, and the opening thus formed may be closed, as by the screw l2. Upon the guide member 4 is mounted a plate 13, preferably of metal and secured thereon adjacent its ends by the screws 14 or inany other approved. manner. At the endv opposite thev handle 2 the plate is provided with an upstanding heelrest 15, substantially perpendicular thereto and having a Iiange 16, which'normally closes over and abuts the end of th base 1. y

The indicator l0, which is mounted upon the guide 9 and within the rabbet 7, is disposed beneath the plate 13 and carries at its end an upstanding spoon-shaped arm 17, extending upwardly above the plate 13. To secure the indicator at any desired adjustment, a set-screw 18 is provided, abutting a bushing 19, contacting with the edge of the guide 9.

Upon the guide 9 is arranged a scale 20, and the indicator 10 is provided with an opening 2l, through which a single number upon the scale 20 may be read.

Conveniently arranged along the inner surface of the base l and the guide member I are the scales 22 and 23, having columns thereon headed by numbers corresponding to the numbers upon the scale 20 and in the IOO ` measurements of the foot-as, for instance,

the measurement aboututhe ball-joint indicated upon the scale 23 by 13, the measurement about the inste indicated by 1, and the measurement a out the heel indicated by Hf For retaining the measure in a closed position latch members 24 are provided, said members being pivotally secured to the base and engaging the guide member to prevent the opening of the guide member upon the hinges 5 and to conceal the scales within and between the said members. Upon the extended end 2 is mounted a plate 25, of ivory, celluloidor other material, upon which characters may be made with a leadpencil and easily erased therefrom.

ln operation the foot to be measured is placed upon the plate 13 with the heel abutting the heel-rest 15, and after the foot is expanded by bearing the weight upon it the indicator 10 is moved until the spoon 17 'lits snugly upon the ball-joint. The screw 18 is tightened, bearing the bushing 19 firmly upon the guide 9 and securing the indicator from longitudinal displacement. As shown in the drawings, two'indicators with a spoon each are provided, thereby making it possible to measure either toot, it being understood that but one indicator is used in the measurement, but that for op osite feet opposite indicators are used. ith a tapemeasure or other iieXible measuring device the ball, instep, and heel of the toot are respectively measured and the measurements written upon the plate 25, as indicated. The measuring device is then removed and, if desired, out of sight of the customer opened to the position shown in Fie'. 2 and the measurements taken read from tie scale 20.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed isl. In a foot-measuring device, a pair of pivoted members, a scale carried by one ot the members and normally housed between said members, and means coacting with the scale for indicating the length. of the foot.

2. In a foot-measuring device, a pair of pivoted members one of which is movable to open position, a scale interposed between said members, and an indicator coacting with the scale for indicating the length of the foot.

3. ln a toot-measuring device, com rising a pair of pivoted members one of w ich is movable to open position and constitutes a foot-plate, a scale carried by the foot-plate and norm ally housed betweensaid members, and an indicator slidably mounted on said plate and coacting with the scale tor determining the length of shoe required from the position of the ball-joint.

4. A foot-measuring device embodying a footlate hinged upon a base, anindicator slida ly mounted relative to the toot-plate and carrying a spoon arranged for engagement 'with the ball-joint ot the toot, a scale carried. normally closed between the footplate and the base and for coperation with the indicator, and means for securing the plate and base in a closed position.

5. A foot-measuring device embodying a base, a foot-plate hinged upon the base, a scale normally closed between the base and the plate, an indicator slidably mounted upon the foot-plate and provided with means for indicating markings upon the scale, a heel-rest carried rigidly by the toot-plate, means carried by the indicator for engagement with the ball-joint of the foot. and means whereby trom such engagement the length of shoe required is indicated by the indicator upon the scale.

6. In a foot-measuring device, a pair of pivoted members one of which is movable to open position, a scale interposed betweensaid members and hidden from view when the members are in closed position, an indicator slidably mounted on said member and coacting with the scale for determining the length of shoe by the position of the ball-joint, means 'for clamping the indicator in set position, and means for locking the pivoted members in closed position. i

In testimony that I claim the 'foregoing as my own l have hereto ailiXed my signature in the presence ot' two witnesses.

FRANK L. KERR Witnesses:

Vl. J. NEwBURG, H. F. BRADs'rREET. 

